piracy

About Piracy
Blaire's Audio Karaoke adheres to a strict policy of playing only licensed music. Licensing groups, music producers and artists are becoming more militant in the enforcement of copyright laws. This is due to technological advancements like CD and DVD burners, and the internet and file sharing siphoning off sales and royalties to which they are as entitled to as a person who goes to work everyday is entitled to paid compensation for doing so.

How This Affects You
If you are a bar owner charging admission, selling food and drinks for profit to people enticed to your establishment by events such as Karaoke Parties or just dancing to recorded music, you have to pay for the right to use music produced by someone at their expense of time and money. It is only fair. The laws of America back this up with some pretty strong disincentives. If a DJ or Karaoke operator is not using licensed material, not only can they have their equipment seized on the spot, but face large fines, criminal records and civil lawsuits. A police raid would definitely put a damper on a fun evening, but worse, the venue operators will be held liable as well with the money saved using a non-licensed operator eaten up many times over in fines and lost business.
The cost of licensing has been going up and Karaoke operators and DJ companies have had to foot this bill. Bar operators have to pay more as well and the bottom line is that consumers have to pay more for their admission, drinks or food.

How You Can Help
Most DJ companies and Karaoke providers are licensed. They have to be if they are serious business people who provide jobs, pay taxes and contribute to the community. There are some though, that use pirated music and put the bar owners at risk, usually by undercutting the fair, competitive prices that most KJ's and DJ's offer. This small savings puts the owner of the venues livelihood on the line.
Beware the operator that offers prices much lower that than most. They may be using "pirated" discs. Let's keep the playing field even. Judge your Karaoke Party Provider on personality, quality of sound system, selection of (Licensed) music and good old fashioned customer service.